Given the content of the headlines and the fact that the article was written by the National Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Palestine Solidarity Council, it was no surprise to see the article filled with anti-Zionist propaganda and lies.
Although the term “Zionist Pentecostalism” needs no explaining, the author of the article took the time to define it as “a religious movement that combines elements of Pentecostal Christianity with Zionist beliefs.” For good measure (and hopefully journalistic integrity), the author also provided their definition of Zionism as: “the belief in the return of the Jewish people to the Holy Land and the establishment of the State of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy.”
Regardless of how the wider world views Israel, as I reminded my readers in a recent article, it is important that we frame these discussions through a biblical lens because what most people are missing is how the Jewish people came to be recipients of the land.
Though Israel is falsely charged with colonialism, the Bible tells us that it is their God-given homeland. People can write all the opinion pieces they want, but the simple fact is that God determined to raise up a special people and give them a particular land—the land of Israel.
The boundaries of this Land of Promise are recorded in Genesis 15, with resulting confirmations provided to Isaac in Genesis 26:3-4 and to Jacob in Genesis 28:13-14. God considered the terms of His covenant so important that Psalm 105:7-12 also mentions it:
> “He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth. He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant which He made with Abraham, and His oath to Isaac, and confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying, ‘To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance,’ when they were few in number, indeed very few, and strangers in it.”
Despite the fact that the debate concerning Israel’s right to occupy the land begins and ends with the authority of God’s Word, let’s take a moment to debunk two of the most outrageous claims made in the article.
### Zionist Pentecostalism Manipulates Christian Reverence for the Bible by Equating Modern Israel with Biblical Israel
This is a common assertion among those who hold an anti-Zionist position, particularly in attempts to dismiss the significance of the rebirth and restoration of the State of Israel. Many assert that modern Israel’s reestablishment is an event that holds no relevance to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.
So, how do we correctly and biblically interpret the return of the Jewish people to their land and the rebirth of the State of Israel?
Quite simply, the Scriptures indicate that Israel must be reinstated as a sovereign nation in unbelief before prophecies relating to the nation in the last days can come to fruition.
In Ezekiel 36:10, God made the following promise to the Jewish people:
> “I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt.”
Furthermore, Ezekiel 36:24 reads:
> “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.”
Take note of the phrase “your own land.” Peoples, tribes, and nations wish to argue that Israel is a colonizer and an occupier, but the reality is that God, per the terms of the Abrahamic Covenant, has declared Israel the owner of the land.
In addition, He is now fulfilling a portion of Ezekiel 36, the greater fulfillment of which we will bear witness to in the Millennial Kingdom.
Given that we appear to be in the last days of the last days, it should come as no surprise to anyone who takes their Bible seriously to see the Jewish people re-occupying their ancient homeland in preparation for the fulfillment of God’s promises to His people.
### Zionism is a Nationalist Ideology Rooted in European Colonialism, Not a Divine Mandate
To claim that “Zionism is a nationalist ideology rooted in European colonialism, not a divine mandate” is to ignore the clear teaching of the Bible. Zionism is an integral element in the biblical mandate handed down by God Himself.
If you accept the integrity of biblical revelation, you will see that Israel holds a central role in God’s prophetic program. In short, Israel’s occupation of the land is a divine mandate!
The author of the article has revealed not only his antisemitic agenda but also his illiteracy when it comes to reading and believing the divine claims and promises of the Bible.
Despite the mounting criticism of believers who support Israel, we are unabashedly committed to the fact that the promises God made to Abraham and his posterity are irrevocable.
Call Christian Zionists what you will, but our position remains firm: we will never be associated with hatred of the Jewish people or denial of the Jewish right to the land of Israel.
As Will H. Houghton, former president of Moody Bible Institute, said in a short poem:
> Say not a Christian e’er would persecute a Jew;
> A Gentile might, but not a Christian true.
> Pilate and Roman guard that folly tried.
> And with that great Jew’s death an empire died!
> When Christians gather in cathedral, church or hall,
> Hearts turn toward One—the name of Jesus call.
> You cannot persecute—whatever else you do—
> The race who gave Him—Jesus was a Jew!
### Hatred of Christian Zionism is Growing
In conclusion, what is becoming apparent is that not only do many in the world oppose Israel, they also oppose any people who stand with Israel.
Although Tucker Carlson is the most recent high-profile example of this attitude, back in 2006, the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA published this statement:
> “The Christian Zionist programme provides a worldview where the Gospel is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism. In its extreme form, it places an emphasis on apocalyptic events leading to the end of history rather than living Christ’s love and justice today. We categorically reject Christian Zionist doctrines as false teaching that corrupts the biblical message of love, justice and reconciliation.”
The message from those who are anti-Zionist is clear—Israel is a problem and so too are those who support it.
Tucker Carlson recently revealed that he dislikes Christian Zionists more than anybody. And yet, I have not lost a moment of sleep over his disdain for me.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4350192/posts